Wednesday, May 30, 2007

A Hat From My First Spun Yarn!

Since spinning is now a new hobby of mine, in addition to knitting and sitting on the computer, I was thinking, that there must be some kind of compensation for all this added sitting around. I found Elinor's blog title amusing Exercises before Knitting. Well, that will be my new motto. Right after breakfast instead of spinning for half an hour, I swing myself on my Elliptical Trainer and have a go at it for 2.5 miles (for now). I had to start somewhere. I don't like sports, except swimming, I think I was a fish in another life. So, this commitment I made is for my health and very necessary. But I don't have to like it. ;o)

some apple blossoms, no heavenly smell there, but still gorgeous to look at

And here it is! The hat with my first spindle spun yarn. I didn't need all of it, which surprised me, but that's bulky yarn for you. I still have the granny apple green yarn and some bits and pieces. This hat is ugly, but I heart it! It fits my noggin perfectly, can't wait for cold weather! I don't like the hot pink color, but the yarn in the middle looks nice. On the top I used some of the red yarn, that's why I made a crochet border on the bottom. What can I say? It's an uplifting feeling to knit with your own yarn, even with all its imperfections and color ugliness.

I wound the yarn from last night on my niddy noddy - 51 yds, from 1 oz of each sample. I lost a few yards when it broke, but that's O.K. after I've set the twist and hung it out to dry, it still has too much twist in it, but it lost some with plying. I can use it for knitting. Probably for another hat, mixed together with yarn to come or even the green one, who knows?

I love this color. I used two samples of Spunky Eclectics sample bag, and I think together they turned out pretty. Still not even at all, not a balanced yarn, but at least I can use it, and it's not a total write off.

The wheel is still standing, in one piece, or as many as it should have. I've been lazying around today on the couch for a bit, and treadling on an empty wheel. It's so relaxing, it almost made me fall asleep in the middle of the day. We are good now. I'll give it another try tonight.

Happy, tired, good dog - Biko.

Sam watching closely in the background.

I'm procrastinating on my new project here. Can't seem to get going. Would do almost anything else before sitting down and knit a bit on it. Sigh. That's not a good start on a new project, is it?!

It really is wonderful to knit with your own handspun, isn't it! And the Spunky yarn, I think it looks great for your first "thin" yarn! You might be surprised at how nicely it knits up, and for some things like socks or mitts, the extra twist will make a nice dense fabric. The yarn looks like it is soft and has some bounce, it's not all hard and twisty. Congrats!

Poor Baby. I can almost feel your pain of all the frustrations of late. BUT.....Remember, there was a learning curve with the spindle too, you'll get comfortable with the wheel I'm sure.

Love, love love that green single on the spindle from the last post. This hat is divine, and I think your plying on the wheel hanks look great. I think you're being too hard on yourself girlfriend. :-)

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About Me

I live in Canada now, but I'm originally from Austria.
My White Shepherd Happy, and Denny the mutt, are my constant companions. Maggie is my sons dog, but she's with me most of the day. I have two grown kids too ;o) by the way.